Testimonials

Gerry was my first introduction to wood carving since middle school. He is a patient and caring teacher more than willing to explain the answer to any question you can come up with. I have been attending his evening classes for somewhere around a year and have learned so much. He has encouraged me even when I picked a rather obscure and eccentric First Project. Which has since been a complete success. I am certainly looking forward to the next term's classes with Gerry and am excited to see what we create next. I would highly recomend him for both beginers and those more advanced.

Camilla Cross

I started on a weekend woodcarving course with Gerry three years ago. I had a very low level of confidence and memories of school woodwork with a grumpy teacher and grotty bits of deal that always ended up planed to a sliver. Gerry is the Mary Poppins of the woodworking world (without the outfits). He actually made me laugh and enjoy woodwork as I'd never imagined I could. I signed up for a regular weekly class and discovered a talent I never knew I had and made new friends in his friendly class. He is a skilled craftsman who enjoys passing on his skills to other people and is happy to advise on tool buying and to supply lovely pieces of lime and oak to carve. I'm hooked!
Nick Jackson

My daughter bought me a set of courses for Christmas after I retired some three years ago and I have never looked back.

First thing was a nice house sign with lettering and quatrefoils.

Gerald has a great attitude and teaches the use of tools and techniques which would be difficult on ones own.

Besides there is a great cameraderie with classmates and it is fascinating to see what others achieve.

Glyn Owens

My woodcarving interest started some 10 years ago at an adult education class in Norwich. My enjoyment was 200% but progress was slow. When the classes were disbanded we were so pleased that Gerry took up the cudgel and set up courses in Long Stratton to enable us to keep up our new found skills. It's a great atmosphere in the workshop and I have achieved projects that have amazed me. The tuition cannot be faulted, the classes are friendly and you can do whatever you want knowing that help is always at hand. Tools and wood are available and Tuesday afternoons have become something to look forward to.

Dudley Watts

I started going to Gerald's woodcarving classes to support my interest in making musical instruments, and it turned out to be a very good decision indeed! As the other reviews have mentioned, Gerald is master carver, and an excellent teacher. He provides carving exercises that teach the basic (and not so basic) techniques, but is also very helpful for students with projects of their own, giving excellent guidance on both technical aspects and on the modeling of the carving (i.e. the artistic side of carving). The workshop is very well equipped and it is useful to be able to work with a variety of tools to determine what you most need to buy for your workshop at home. The lessons are also great fun, and one of the high points of my week - very highly recommended!

Gavin Cawley

Did the course meet your expectations? Yes, good basic start. good 1:1 tuition.

Was the teaching appropriate to your skill level an well paced? Yes, teaching was brilliant.

Tools brilliant Workshop fantastic.

What did you gain from the course ? Learnt sharpening skills, good basic woodcarving, ideas for the future.

Just wish Gerald was in Northern Ireland

Martin T Spence Belfast, Northern ireland

"I joined a class in order to acquire incised letter carving skills. Several terms later I am still in the class which has proven to be a thoroughly stimulating environment where fellow "students" are willing to share and Gerald is both ready and able to guide, suggest and assist where required, with patience, humour and engendered mutual respect. This is an excellent environment in which to push the artistic boundaries and develop skills."

Philip Stroulger, Norfolk

Dear Gerald, I just wanted to say a big thank you for all your teachings on the woodwork course. I have been proudly showing everyone my first attempts and am looking forward to getting my hands on a new set of chisels.Both yours and your wife's warm and friendly approach made us feel very welcome and relaxed. Cracking soup too!

All the very best, Will Wilson

" I can thoroughly recommend the weekly classes, each with a small group pursuing and sharing insight from different projects, all with individual positive input from Gerald.

Graham Price N Norfolk.

Gerald Adams